Business 101 From A Donut Shop

Right before my eyes I’ve watched a little mom and pop donut shop down the street completely transform their business AND revenue by super simple improvements.

It sounds too simple, but it’s worked.

Here’s what they’ve done

🧵

Backstory:

We’ve been going there once a week for years.

Still owned by a husband and wife from Cambodia. They’ve been working it for 30 years and you can tell.

They’re tired

Enter the new blood

They knew they needed to work their way out, but it’s been their BABY. Hard to let go of what you’ve built for 30years.

They brought in their nephew with a sweet deal…

The deal:

Nephew comes in with a “baseline” situation.

They set the baseline at what the existing revenue is and then anything above that is split 50/50 with the nephew.

Win win

---

The nephew, Kevin (great name), knows his stuff and came out swinging.

Here’s what he’s done. It might sound minimal, but it’s made huge impact:

• New paint
• donut pictures on walls
• specialty donuts (seasonal, cereal covered, trendy, etc.)
• customer punch cards
• flyers to pass out
• bright / happier lights
• decorations for every holiday
• juices
• sandwiches
• better drinks in the fridge
• added tip option on payment processor (this is big)

And here’s the best one… FRIENDLY.

He remembers my name (obviously) and my kids names and caters to them when they come in.

It’s wild, but it works. This business was dying and could have very well disappeared into nothingness if the other owners retired.

Kevin breathed new life into it and now it’s thriving.

If a donut shop can make a turn around as drastic as this one, any business can.

You just have to figure out WHERE the value can be added.